6 replies to this topic

[KLillie]

I'm planning a trip to Death Valley on about a week. I have noticed a lot of the routes I wanted to take are closed  due to flood damage. Has anyone been recently? where are some good off road routes you would recommend? 

Edited by KLillie, 06 February 2024 - 04:59 PM.

[rubberlegs]

We were in Butte Valley and up the Racetrack road last week, turning at Teakettle Jct and quite a ways up via Hidden Valley and Ulida Flat. All those roads were in very reasonable condition. The crux of all of that was a bumpy, muddy area near Ubehebe Crater where clearance was handy, but it's just a few miles from pavement. I just heard North Pass is snowed in.

[ski3pin]

First off, keep a watch on the weather - 7 day forecast

 

Also, keep an eye on the - alert and conditions webpage and it's updated backcountry roads map.

 

Many of the roads have been opened since the summer floods such as North Death Valley Road out to Eureka Dunes and on to Big Pine. Racetrack Road is open to Homestake and Lippencott is open to Saline Valley but Saline Valley Road south from Bat Road is signed closed by Inyo County. North Pass is open to Saline Warm Springs but can and will be impacted by snow. Warm Springs Road is open to Panamint Valley and Goler Canyon. Cottonwood and Marble Canyon roads are open but you now need to pick up a permit in person to overnight camp at one of the designated campsites. The same with Echo Canyon, Hole in the Wall, and Greenwater Valley roads.

[daverave]

I have used the designated campsites in Echo [currently only open to campsite #4] and Hole in the Wall but had not heard that they have designated campsites on Greenwater Valley road where we frequently camp and which is somewhat more remote. Did you read this somewhere on the DVNP website? I can't find any indication that this is now the case.

"The same with Echo Canyon, Hole in the Wall, and Greenwater Valley roads."

Edited by daverave, 12 February 2024 - 09:40 PM.

[rubberlegs]

Hi daverave,

 

Check this site for camping: https://www.nps.gov/...it/backcamp.htm

 

where it says:

 

• Free permits are required for roadside camping along Echo Canyon Road, Hole in the Wall Road, Cottonwood Canyon Road, and Marble Canyon Road. Camping in these areas is only allowed in designated sites with a free permit.
• Starting November 21st, 2023, Free permits are required for roadside camping along Greenwater Valley (Furnace Creek Wash) Road. With a permit, camping along this road is allowed in any area that follows all backcountry rules and regulations; there are no designated sites.
• Free permits are required for overnight backpacking along the Cottonwood Canyon - Marble Canyon Loop.
• Permits are recomended--but not required--for roadside camping and backpacking on other parts of the park.

[daverave]

 

Hi daverave,

 

Check this site for camping: https://www.nps.gov/...it/backcamp.htm

 

where it says:

 

• Free permits are required for roadside camping along Echo Canyon Road, Hole in the Wall Road, Cottonwood Canyon Road, and Marble Canyon Road. Camping in these areas is only allowed in designated sites with a free permit.
• Starting November 21st, 2023, Free permits are required for roadside camping along Greenwater Valley (Furnace Creek Wash) Road. With a permit, camping along this road is allowed in any area that follows all backcountry rules and regulations; there are no designated sites.
• Free permits are required for overnight backpacking along the Cottonwood Canyon - Marble Canyon Loop.
• Permits are recomended--but not required--for roadside camping and backpacking on other parts of the park.

 

Thanks rubberlegs. Glad that there are not designated sites there as it is pretty wide open country. I would assume/hope that the side roads off of the Greenwater do not require the permit.

[ski3pin]

Rubberlegs, thanks for clearing that up. Yes, sites are not designated on Greenwater Valley Road, but a permit is now required and I was told in person that10 are the max issued per day for Greenwater.